RALEIGH, N.C. — Butch Thompson might just be allowed to stretch the truth with the media when he’s two wins away from Auburn’s first NCAA regional title since 1999.

After the Tigers used just two pitchers in Friday's 13-4 win over Northeastern in the opening game of the Raleigh Regional, one would think Thompson’s starting pitcher decision became even easier for Saturday. However, the Tigers' head coach didn’t play his ace card until late Friday night.

Following Army’s upset of top-seeded host North Carolina State, Thompson held a coaching staff meeting at his team’s hotel to finalize a strategy for the winners bracket game against the Black Knights (36-22), but Thompson’s plans didn’t change.

In a text message response to the Montgomery Advertiser, Thompson confirmed Casey Mize (9-5, 3.07 ERA) will start for Auburn (40-21) Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. Though Thompson said following the win over Northeastern that his starting pitcher would “depend on the opponent,” he could be accused of a small lie or competitive gamesmanship because he’d basically made up his mind. Based off his comments following the 5-1 win over N.C. State, Army coach Jim Foster wasn't buying the attempt at misdirection.

“Just hang in there against Mize. He’s an outstanding pitcher. He’s probably going to go No. 1 overall (in the pro draft), so I know he’s got a big day on Monday," Foster said Friday night. "I’ve coached two guys that have gone first round over the years, and it’s a tough situation to be in when you’re pitching in a big game for your college team, but your lifelong dream is going to come true the next day or the day after. You’re kind of torn. I’ve had pitchers pitch in regionals and super regionals that were in that situation, one position player and one pitcher, and it’s tough. That’s about the only thing we’ve got going for us because Mize is ridiculously good. He’s so talented. He’s got a tremendous arm, and we’re going to have to hit the fastball. If we don’t hit the fastball, we’re in trouble.”

Mize was named a first-team All-American by Baseball America and second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball on Thursday. The honors just hours before Auburn was to start NCAA regional play made him the second two-time All-American in program history.

Mize, named an All-American by three different publications including Baseball America a year ago, joins former first-round draft pick Gregg Olson as Auburn's only two-time All-Americans. Olson earned the honors in 1987 and 1988.

Mize's 140 strikeouts lead the SEC, rank third in the country, are fifth in school history and the most since 1999. Dating to the beginning of last season, the Springville native has struck out 249 batters and issued only 19 walks.

Mize has turned in nine quality starts in 15 trips to the mound this season with three complete games. Mize tossed the ninth no-hitter in Auburn history while totaling 13 strikeouts without issuing a walk against Northeastern on March 9. The 13-strikeout performance against the Huskies was one of five outings with 10 or more strikeouts this season, including a record-matching 15 strikeouts vs. Vanderbilt on May 4. Mize joined former Auburn pitchers Mark Chapman, John Powell, Tim Hudson and Chris Bootcheck in the 15-strikeout club and was the first SEC pitcher to accomplish the feat in a conference game since 2012.

Mize has lost four of his last five starts but Auburn has given him only 12 runs of support in those outings, including a 4-2 loss to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament.

“He’s put himself in position if he gives up three or four runs, it’s like a failure,” Thompson said. “That’s putting yourself at a really high level. But there’s no covering tracks or protecting or anything like that. He is really motivated and I can’t wait for him to get on this mound and get to play. We’ve just got to go do some work before that to get him into position where his start has huge meaning to this tournament if we can.”